The Labor enquirer., 1887-12-03

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means for the oppreslion q ~ peopls "a
the aesnndissment Of a. azistoerHey q
wealth and power.
We declare the truepuspoqeo q eovernmenf
to be the maintenance of that s1c9od Eight a
property which gives 70 every oue oppoe(a
nifty to employ his labor I'D seeurity that hs
shall enjoy its fruits; 70 prevent the strong
from depressing the weax end Tie unscsupu-
lous from robbing the homes; and 70 do for
the equal benent Of al such things = can b
better done BY ergAmissd society than BY In
dividuals ; and We aim at the abolition Of al
laws which give to any class Of eitisens An ID
vantage. either judicial, financial, industrial
or political. that are not equally shared BY
all others.
We call upon allwhoseek the emancipation
oflabor and who would mate the American
Union and Its component states democratic
commonwealths Of really frse and independ-
ent citizens, to Ignore AL minor differences
and join with rs in orgAnixing great na-
tional paaty on this broad platform Of nat
ural right and equal justice.
We do not aim 1t securing any forced
equality in the distribution OF wealih. We
do not propose that the state shall attempt to
control production, conduct distribution, or
in anywise interfere with the equal rights Of
others. Nor do we propose that the state
shall take possession OF land and either work
1t or rent it out.
What we propose is not the disturbing of
any man in his holding or title, but by abol-
ishing alltaxes on industry or IL products
to leave to the producer the full fruits Of his
exertioD, and by taxation Of land values to
the exclusion Of ofimprovements, TO devote to
the common use those values which, arising
not from exertion Of the individual, but nom
growth Of society, belong to the community
as a whole. This increased taxation OF land,
not according to its area, but according to its
value, must, while relieving working farmers
and small homestead owners Of the undue
burdens now imposed upon them, make it
Improbable to hold land for speculation, and
thus throw open abundant opportunities for
the employment oflabor and the building up
Of homes.
While thus simplifying government. by
doing away with horde of ofIicials required
by the present system Of taxntion, with its
incentives to fraud and corruption. we would
further promote the common veal and fur.
ther secure equal rights ofall by placing un-
der public control such agencies a. are in
their nature monopolies. We would have
our municipalities supply their inhabitants
with water, light and heat; we would have
the general government issue all money with
out the Intervention Of banks; we would add
a postal telegraph system and postal savings
banks to the postal service, and would as
sumo public control and ownership OF those
iron roads which have become highways of
modern commerce.
While declaring the foregoing to be the fun-
damental principles and aims OF the United
Labor Party, and while conscious that no re-
form can give effectual and permanent relief
70 saBpr that does not involve legal recogni-
tion of equal rights to natural opportunities,
we nevertheless, as measures Of relief from
some of the evil effects Of ignoring those
rights, favor such legislation as may tend to
reduce the hours of labor, to prevent employ
ment of children Of tender years. to avoid
competition of convict labor with honest in
dustry, to secure sanitary inspection of tene-
ments, factories and mines, and to put an
end to the abuse ofthe conspiracy laws.
We desire also to simplify The procedure Of
our courts, and diminish the expenses Of le-
gal proceedings, that the poor may be c,ace1
ON an equality with the rich, and the long
delays which now result in such scandalous
miscariiages Of justice may be prevented;
and since the ballot is the only means by
which, In our republic, the redress OF political
and social grievances Is to be sought, W.
especially and emphatically declare for the
adoption OF what is known a. the "Austra-
liam system OF voting" in order that the
efiectual secrecy Of the ballot and the relief
ofcandidates for public ofices from the heavy
expenses now imposed upon them may pre-.
vent bribery and intimidation, do away W.
the practical discrimination in favor OF yae
rich and the interruptions. and lessen the
pernicious influence Of money N politics.
In support Of these aims wesolicit the co.
operation Of all patriotic citizens who, sick
OF the degradation Of politics, desire by CON.
stitutional methods to establish justice, q
preserve liberty, to extend the spirit offrater
nifty. and to elevate humanity.
PLATFORM OF THE PROGRESSIVE
LABOR PARTY.
At meeting held in Webster
Hall, New York, September 8,
representatives from labor organi-
cations throughout the state oi
New York unanimously adopted
the following platform of princi-
pies:
Whereas, Realizing the necessity OF con.
slant vigilance and united action, the vari-